Influence of epidermal growth factor on intestinal function in the rat: comparison of systemic infusion versus luminal perfusion

Epidermal growth factor may be a trophic substance for the small intestine. Previous studies had not evaluated intestinal absorption after long-term continuous administration of epidermal growth factor or compared luminal perfusion with systemic infusion. Epidermal growth factor (150 micrograms/kg/day) was continuously infused either systemically or luminally for 14 days into young adult Fisher strain rats. Luminal studies were performed by creating 10 cm Thiry-Vella loops. At the conclusion of the 14 day infusions, mucosal DNA concentration and absorption of carbon-14 galactose and carbon-14 glycine were determined. The increase in DNA concentration after systemic or luminal infusion of epidermal growth factor was not statistically significant. However, galactose absorption increased 1.9-fold (p less than 0.05) after systemic epidermal growth factor infusion and glycine absorption increased 4.4-fold (p less than 0.01). Luminal epidermal growth factor perfusion increased galactose absorption 2.4-fold (p less than 0.05) and glycine absorption 4.1-fold (p less than 0.01). Thus, both systemic and luminal administration of epidermal growth factor can significantly increase substrate absorption. Additional studies on the physiologic implications and clinical usefulness of these data are warranted.